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Why a Social Media Manager’s Personal Brand Matters for Your Business

As social media plays a vital role in brand marketing and customer engagement, hiring a social media manager has become crucial for many businesses. But finding the right person goes beyond technical skills and knowledge of social platforms. 

The person you choose will be your brand’s voice online, representing your company’s values, personality, and integrity. For this reason, a social media manager’s personal online presence is something businesses should seriously consider during the hiring process. 

Evaluating how a candidate manages their personal brand can provide insight into their professionalism, maturity, and alignment with your brand’s values. 

In addition, a social media manager who aligns with your company’s values can help avoid hits to your brand’s reputation. Their social media presence can reveal much about how they might handle your brand’s image. 

Social media manager hopefuls who demonstrate professionalism and a consistent personal brand are more likely to present your company in the best possible light online. 

The Importance of Personal Brand Management in Social Media Roles

Hiring someone with a well-managed personal brand helps ensure that the person tasked with representing your business will do so with integrity. 

Social media managers are responsible for creating and curating content, responding to comments, and handling customer interactions. Candidates who do this well on their own accounts are likely better equipped to handle these responsibilities for your brand.

Assessing a candidate’s social media presence can provide insight into their values, behavior, and whether they align with your brand. If their profiles reflect a sense of professionalism and maturity, it’s likely they’ll bring these qualities to your brand’s social media and handle sensitive issues appropriately. 

On the other hand, an immature or unprofessional personal presence could be a red flag. Hiring someone whose posts disregard professional standards could expose your company to reputational risks or even PR crises.

Mature Online Presence as a Safeguard for Company Reputation

Aside from what a responsible social media manager can do for your online presence, having one protects your company. Their mature, responsible online presence is a strong asset for protecting your company’s reputation. They are less likely to post inappropriate or reactive content that could damage your brand’s reputation. 

Not only are they less likely to post content that reflects poorly on the brand, but they’re also better equipped to handle difficult situations. For example, social media managers who manage their accounts responsibly know how to handle a negative comment calmly, strategically, and professionally. 

A good social media manager demonstrates an understanding of how to communicate effectively, respect differing perspectives, and uphold brand values — all essential skills for managing a company’s online presence and safeguarding their reputation.

Evaluating a Social Media Manager’s Personal Brand During Hiring

You’ve come across a candidate who could potentially be a great fit as your social media manager. Now it’s time to evaluate their online presence and personal brand to really determine if they’re a good fit for your company. But how exactly do you assess online maturity and brand alignment?

1. Check for professionalism and consistency: Examine their public profiles to see if their content reflects a professional tone, consistent messaging, and a respectful approach to online interactions. Look at the language they use, how they respond to others, and the overall impression of their posts. 

2. Observe their interactions with others: Social media often involves engaging with a wide range of customers. So, pay attention to how they handle differing opinions and perspectives on their accounts. Candidates who demonstrate respectful and thoughtful interactions, even in disagreements, are more likely to respond well to varied viewpoints on your brand’s platforms.

3. Assess content alignment with company values: Review their posts and shared content to see if their values align with your company’s values. Ensuring alignment between the candidate’s content and your brand’s values can help foster authenticity and credibility, which is essential for building trust with your audience. Be mindful of “red flags” in a candidate’s online presence, such as divisive or insensitive content, which can be early indicators of potential conflicts with your brand image.

4. Evaluate their brand alignment potential: Content alignment and overall brand alignment are important. A candidate’s approach to their brand can give you an early preview of their style and attitude toward brand building. So, if they’ve crafted a consistent, engaging personal brand, they’re more likely to succeed in creating an unforgettable brand for your business.

Conclusion

When hiring a social media manager, focusing on their personal brand, online maturity, and professionalism can be as essential as evaluating their technical abilities. A social media manager with a strong, mature online presence and an aligned personal brand is more likely to represent your company positively, protect your reputation, and respond effectively in crises. 

Prioritizing these qualities during the hiring process can safeguard your brand’s credibility, enhance your customer relationships, and ultimately contribute to your business’s success on social media.

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